Ethers can be prepared by Williamson synthesis in which an alkyl halide is reacted with sodium alkoxide. Di-tert-butyl ether cannot be prepared by this method. Explain.
Alkaloids being strong base as well as nucleophiles can react with tertiary alkyl halides through elimination reaction. During the reaction of tert-butyl-bromide with tert-butoxide rather than the expected substitution reaction, it undergoes the elimination reaction. Due to this mishappening, the product formed is Iso butylene instead of Di-tert-butyl ether.